Dominique Chew has joined the staff of the Center for Healing & Hope to fill two roles. She will be office manager and serve in a new position as immigrant resource coordinator.

In the new role Chew will help develop and manage the programs and services that the Center for Healing and Hope (CHH) will offer through the Elkhart County HOPE network. CHH has recently embraced Elkhart County HOPE, a network that is dedicated to helping immigrant members of the Goshen and Elkhart communities who need assistance.

Most recently Chew has taught English as a New Language to adults through Goshen College. Previous to this she served at World Vision International at the United Nations through Mennonite Voluntary Service. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Goshen College with a major in English.

Chew says her interest in working with immigrants has grown over the last several months and she is looking forward to new opportunities to be involved with them. The students in her English classes have Spanish as a first language and working with them has helped enhance her Spanish-speaking abilities. “In college I’d heard so much about Goshen’s and Elkhart’s diverse population, but didn’t see this diversity reflected in places where I spent my time. Now, especially with the current political climate, I’m placing more value on being intentional about engaging with my immigrant neighbors and friends in a meaningful way. I want my work, at CHH and in the community, to reflect that I’m standing in solidarity with marginalized populations within Elkhart County.”

Bryan Mierau, executive director of CHH, said, “Dominique comes to CHH with unique intercultural experiences and interests that will serve our community well as she steps into expanded advocacy opportunities as our immigrant resource coordinator. At the same time, we’ll rely on her organizational skills to coordinate our office operations. I am very pleased that Dominique has chosen to offer herself and her talents for the ongoing ministry that we share together.”